Get job-ready as a barista
Hands-on training that gets you hired — make every café coffee on commercial machines, then earn the nationally recognised certificate cafés look for. Your own steam wand and a 1:8 trainer ratio, with Barista Basics and the Australian Barista School.
- Your own steam wand
- 1:8 trainer ratio
- Commercial machines
- Classes every day
From first pour to confident barista
No prior experience required — you'll walk out knowing how to use a commercial espresso machine from scratch and make every coffee you'd order in a café.
What makes our barista courses different
Your own steam wand
A dedicated steam wand and group handle each — genuine hands-on practice, not standing around watching.
1:8 trainer ratio
One trainer for every eight students. Our trainers are working baristas and café owners, not just teachers.
Commercial machines
Train on the same professional-grade espresso machines you'd find in a café — not domestic gear.
No theory, all practise
No pre-course modules for the 3-hour class — just focused hours on the machines, learning by doing.
Classes every day
Morning, afternoon and weekend slots — pick whatever fits your week.
Nationally recognised upgrade path
Start with the 3-hour class and top up to the Nationally Recognised 5-hour course any time.
3-hour vs 5-hour barista course
Both teach you to use a commercial espresso machine from scratch. Here's how they differ.
| 3-hour$119 · non-accredited | 5-hour$199 · nationally recognised | |
|---|---|---|
| Core barista skills (espresso, milk, all café drinks) | ||
| Your own steam wand & group handle | ||
| Latte art training (2 hours) | — | |
| Nationally recognised qualification | ABS certificate only | SITHFAB025 + SITXFSA005 |
| Accepted by cafés for paid work | Some, not all | Nationwide |
| Pre-course online module | Not required | 1–2 hours |
| Price | $119 | $199 |
Book your barista course
Choose your course and location to see live class dates and book online.
5-hour Nationally Recognised Barista course — $199
SITHFAB025 + SITXFSA005 · nationally recognised
Core barista skills plus 2 hours of latte art and a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment that cafés accept Australia-wide. Available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle.
Choose a location above to see live class dates and book online.
3-hour Barista — $119
Non-accredited
A relaxed, hands-on introduction to the espresso machine — perfect for home baristas and coffee lovers. Australian Barista School certificate of completion. Available in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Choose a location above to see live class dates and book online.
What our barista students say
“I did the 5 hours Barista Course with Amber and I loved the experience. Amber is such a good teacher, she made everything so easy to understand and so entertaining ☺️ time went so fast and I feel like I learned a lot! You go through all the basics about coffee, orders and the machine and then get a lot of opportunities to practice late art and free pouring technic which was my main interest. I would totally recommend it, thank you!”
“Fantastic Barista course. I learned so much . The teacher Amber was great”
“that was a great experience 😊thanks for all the help and commitment from Amber.”
“Amber was such a patient and great teacher”
“Fantastic team! Really enjoyed learning the practical skills of making a good coffee. Being a scientist who is working with milk, it is fascinating how I could blend milk chemistry knowledge with making the perfect cup! I feel confident about opportunities to put all the skills to practice. I would highly recommend the barista training.”
“The barista course is great”
“The workers here were amazing, the lessons are very helpful, they don’t judge and they make the experience super fun and special and allow you to test your skills”
“Amber and yerin is the bestttttt”
“Had such a great experience, all the staff are so welcoming and supportive, patient with every student, and I learned lots about coffee and even some history. Would definitely recommend.”
Our trainers wrote the book — literally
bean there, drunk that…
The definitive guide to coffee and the world of the barista — 128 pages by the founders of Barista Basics Coffee Academy. Get the book →
Barista guides
All guides →How to become a barista in Australia
You don't need a formal qualification to become a barista in Australia, but training and practice make you far more employable. Here's the path.
Read guideDo you need a qualification to be a barista?
No — there's no legal requirement to be a qualified barista in Australia. But a barista course makes you far more employable. Here's why.
Read guideNationally recognised vs non-accredited barista course: which should you do?
A non-accredited barista course teaches the core skills fast; the 5-hour course adds latte art and a nationally recognised qualification. Here's which suits you.
Read guide
Save with a package
Heading into hospitality? Pair the nationally recognised barista course with your RSA — or go all-in for cafés, pubs and clubs.
RSA + Barista
Your RSA plus the nationally recognised 5-hour barista course — serve coffee and alcohol.
View RSA + Barista →RSA + RCG + Barista
All three — ideal for work in cafés, pubs, clubs and gaming venues.
View the triple package →Where we train
Brisbane
Ground Floor Suite 4 (G-04), Ladhope Chambers, 131 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD 4000
Get directions →Frequently asked questions
Which barista course should I choose?▾
If you want to work in a café, choose the 5-hour Nationally Recognised Barista course — it adds latte art and awards a Nationally Recognised SITHFAB025 + SITXFSA005 Statement of Attainment that cafés accept nationwide. The 3-hour course is a non-accredited class for home baristas, hobbyists and working-holiday makers who want the core skills without the formal qualification.
Is the 3-hour course nationally recognised?▾
No. The 3-hour course is non-accredited — you'll receive an Australian Barista School certificate of completion. For a nationally recognised qualification, choose the 5-hour course.
Do I need any prior barista experience?▾
No. We teach you to use a commercial espresso machine from scratch. By the end you'll froth milk, pull espresso shots, make every café coffee and clean and maintain the machine.
How much do the courses cost?▾
The 3-hour barista course is $119 (regularly $149). The 5-hour course with latte art and a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment is $199.
What's the trainer-to-student ratio?▾
1:8. Every student gets their own dedicated steam wand and group handle for the day — no waiting around, just real practice time.
What should I bring on the day?▾
Just yourself and closed-toe shoes (a food-safety requirement). We provide all the coffee, milk, equipment and aprons.
What's the cancellation policy?▾
Due to small class sizes, we can't refund no-shows or change-of-mind cancellations. You can switch to another class yourself through the Student Portal's Switch function — a switching fee always applies, and it's higher within 48 hours of your class. If you missed your class entirely or arrived too late to be let in, you can reactivate your booking afterwards via the same Switch function — 50% of the course fee within 7 days of your class, 100% after that.
How switching works →Can I upgrade to the nationally recognised course later?▾
Yes. If you complete the 3-hour course and later want the nationally recognised qualification, get in touch and we'll arrange a top-up to the full 5-hour course.